Do any of you use wifi access at the local coffee shop – like at a Starbucks? I usually don’t. But every time I enter a Starbucks I see people on their laptops presumably using the web as well. According to Silicon Alley, it seems like AT&T has convinced Starbucks to kick out T-Mobile as their wifi provider. What may seem like a “so what” announcement really begins to extend Apple’s iPhone, iTouch, and Macbook appeal as well as cement AT&T as the wireless provider of choice. Check out the reasoning in this Silicon Alley post.

What about Apple? Or iPod? Or iMac? Or iPhone? What about PPC-6700? What about Microsoft? Or Windows? Or Office? What about Sprint? What about Verizon? What about Playstation? What about XBox? What about Slingbox? What about Blackberry? What about Directv? What about Quicken? What about Dell?

Is there something missing from the 3 categories (fear, hope, love)? Interestingly, many of our posts are about complaints concerning the gadgets or services we use. Might there be another category called “Necessity” for why we buy and use certain gadgets (or continue to use certain gadgets and services while we face constant problems)?

Y’all know that I’m now a certified Mac lover (although I do have a problem with how slow Aperture runs on my Macbook Pro. So everything isn’t perfect). Of course TI is…well….stubborn. He’s anti-Mac without ever even trying one. Remember, Mac people are all brainwashed by the Apple’s advertising according to TI.

What does all of the above preamble lead to? Nothing relative to the subject. I just like reminding our readers how illogical TI can be some times.

Ok Mr. “Apple People are just Swayed by the Advertising,” otherwise known as Tell It Like It TI Is. Business Week reports that 13,500 people per day are purchasing the iPhone. Apple predicted they would sell 1 million by the end of September. By September 10, they had already sold 1 million. Are 13,500 people per day all swayed by Apple advertising? Face it. The iPhone is one cool device to a lot of people. It may not be cool, or perfect for you. But maybe you are in the minority. In fact, maybe you’re just plain wrong different, or weird.

Here’s what I believe at this moment. Apple is the best consumer electronic company in the world. In fact, they could be described as not just a consumer electronic company. They’ve become a fashion company. Their hardware products have now become fashion statements – fashion in the home, fashion while computing in your local Starbucks or airport, and fashion when you’re walking down the street with those white ear buds showing.

Recalling my old high school football days. The one thing I remember from the endless hours of practice was the coach continuously telling us to “finish the play” or to “run through the whistle”, and most of all “leave everything on the field”!!!!

Is it me or does Apple seem to always carry the ball almost the full length of the field only to just fall short of the mark? As I mentioned in the iPhone post I loved the design of the iPhone music functions. Though, I was not sold on the functionality of the iPhone, I did state that I would purchase an iPod version of the device. After weeks of waiting, the iPod Touch is finally released and it ONLY HAS 16 GIG OF STORAGE!!!! That’s it.. maxed out…… What in the heck are they thinking. They must really like screwing with me. Now we know that there must have been some type of strategic reason for this, but to my bewilderment, I can’t think of what it is!!! And to really make matters worse, Apple announces the next generation iPod with 160 gig of storage…. So let me get this straight you fall short on storage on the cool iPod Touch, and then you go overboard with 160 gig (ridiculous) on the older design!!

Reminds me of the old Prince tune…. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad????

Well, I am sure Fast Follower will have plenty to say about this and the interesting Apple marketing approach. So Fast Follower, have at it!!!

Apple has a few more opportunities to disappoint me!! Just Tellin it Like it Is!!!!

PTIer’s. As you know, I’m now solidly a Mac guy. For years, I debated with myself (and TI) the virtues of Mac versus Windows. I can say with confidence that my Macbook Pro is the best computer hardware, software and operating system purchase ever for me. For many of you who use Windows specific software, you probably want to know about running Windows apps on the newer Mac machines with the Intel processor. For me this was an important capability of my Mac as well. I’m not one of these Mac guys who say “why buy a Mac only to run Windows on it.” There are some apps that are better in Windows, or don’t exist for Mac. For me it’s Quicken.

Walt Mossberg has a good video about how to run Windows on your Mac on his site. Check it out here.

I’m sitting here on my Macbook Pro writing this post using Apple’s Safari browser while Windows is booted at the same time in another window running Quicken. I’m using a new piece of software called Fusion. It’s similar to Parallels, but according to Walt Mossberg, it doesn’t put as much strain on your Mac. Life is great. I’m getting all of the simple benefits of using a Mac for 95% of my computing life, while I can still use Windows for a handful applications that work better for me in the Windows environment.

We all know what TI thinks about the iPhone. Essentially, he doesn’t like it. In fact he’s kind of anti-Apple (except for his iPod that he uses, but insists it isn’t really that great of a device). I found this video review of the iPhone by Walt Mossberg from the Wall St. Journal. In his opinion the iPhone isn’t perfect (mostly because of the singular carrier). But he really likes it. Pay special attention to his review of the virtual keyboard.

Well, if you recall, I attended the CES last January and heard about the iPhone announcement in California. There was an awful lot of hype and anticipation. We are well into the launch and I would like to resurrect the dialogue to see if Apple’s product development keeps pace with the marketing department. In other words, does the product live up to the hype??? PTIers let’s here from you. Fast Follower??? Where are you?? Nothing to say about the iPhone? I find this very hard to believe!!!!